TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Ethics Center
2011-2012 Annual Report
Annual Report II
2011-2012
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
October 1, 2012
Prepared by the TTU Ethics Center
Our History
During the 2005-2010 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Texas Tech faculty volunteers proposed a
university ethics center to provide the campus with ethics education resources. Since its establishment in
2009, the Texas Tech University Ethics Center has developed ethics programs to support student and
campus learning in ethics, academic integrity, and the responsible conduct of research.
Today, the Ethics Center shares its offices with the Office of Planning and Assessment (OPA) in the
university Administrative Building. At this location, Center staff members have direct access to core campus
services and administrators, faculty, staff, and students from all academic departments. The staff of the
Ethics Center takes seriously the university’s 2010 commitment to student success, to the University’s
Core Values (see Appendix), and to “preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and global
competitive workforce (University Mission Statement).”
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Each fall semester we prepare an annual report of our ethics education accomplishments, activities, and
outcomes. This reporting is required by the bylaws of the Texas Tech University Ethics Center Advisory
Committee (see Appendix).
1
Acknowledgements
Advisory Committee Members (2011-2012)
The following faculty and staff served on the TTU Ethics Center Advisory Committee for the year 20112012.
Dr. Valerie Osland Paton (Office
of the Provost)
Dr. Justin Louder (Ethics Center)
Dr. Tom Knight (CASNR)
Dr. Gary Smith (Architecture)
Dr. Gary Elbow (Honors College)
Prof. Jennifer Bard (Law)
Dr. Cherif Amor (Human Sciences)
Ms. Donell Callender (Faculty
Dr. Tai Kreidler (TTU Libraries)
Dr. Kevin Stoker (Mass
Senate)
Mr. Bruce Bills (Staff Senate)
Communications)
Dr. Kathy Austin (CIO/IT)
Dr. Howard Curzer (Philosophy)
Dr. Jonathan Marks (VPA)
Dr. Alice Young (Research)
Dr. Cathy Duran (Business)
Dr. Arquimedes Ruiz-Columbié
Dr. Judi Henry (Athletics)
Dr. JoAnn Klinker (Education)
Dr. Bill Lawson (Engineering)
(University College)
Dr. Ralph Ferguson (Graduate
Ms. Kim Turner (TTUS Audit)
School)
Other Supportive Faculty, Staff, and Sectors
The following faculty, staff, and sectors have participated in assessments; opened their classes to Ethics
Center presentations; or facilitated workshops and conferences during the 2011-2012 academic year. We
recognize their special contributions to the TTU Ethics Center’s programming and the ongoing moral
maturity of the university community.
Ms. Jennifer Hughes and the staff
of the Office of Planning and
Assessment (OPA)
Center for Campus Life
Dr. Michael San Francisco
Ms. Suzanne Tapp and the staff
of the Teaching, Learning, &
Professional Development
Center (TLPDC)
Dr. Andrew Canham
Dr. Marianne Evola
Texas Tech Athletics
Dr. Sofia Rodriguez-Chapman
and Student Judicial Services
Top Tier Catering
Dr. Jorge Iber
Ms. Brenda Martinez
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Dr. Bob Smith
2
Annual Report II
2011-2012
Contents
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
OUR HISTORY ........................................................................................................1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..............................................................................................2
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS (2011-2012)...........................................................2
OTHER SUPPORTIVE FACULTY, STAFF, AND SECTORS ....................................................2
A NOTE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR ..............................................................................4
ETHICS CENTER STAFF ............................................................................................5
A NOTE FROM THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ......................................................................5
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OUTCOMES ............................................................................6
CORE PROGRAMS ....................................................................................................6
I. TLPDC/TTU ETHICS CENTER: ETHICS LUNCH SERIES ...................................................6
II. MATADOR ETHICS VIDEO CHALLENGE .....................................................................9
III. ETHICS CENTER LEARNING MODULES ................................................................... 10
IV. SECOND ANNUAL RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH CONFERENCE ........................... 10
V. ARBOR DAY 2012: MY LAST ETHICAL ACTIVITY ........................................................ 12
VI. PRESENTATIONS AND GUEST SPEAKERS .................................................................. 14
VII. ETHICS CENTER FACULTY AND STAFF RESEARCH SUPPORT PROGRAM............................. 15
OTHER ACTIVITIES: HIGHLIGHTS ................................................................................. 17
FINANCIAL REVIEW................................................................................................. 17
FUTURE PLANS ...................................................................................................... 18
2012-13 CALENDAR ............................................................................................... 19
APPENDIX............................................................................................................ 19
STATEMENT OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES ......................................................................... 19
BYLAWS OF THE TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY ETHICS CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE .................. 21
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY ETHICS CENTER STAFF (2012-2013)........................................... 23
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY ETHICS CENTER CONTACT INFORMATION .................................... 23
3
A Note from the Administrator
Administrator of the Texas Tech University Ethics Center
Justin R. Louder, EdD
The Ethics Center continues to establish itself as an integral part of the
Texas Tech community. This second annual report highlights the center’s
accomplishments for 2011-2012, showcases student video projects, and
introduces new initiatives and activities the Ethics Center is pursuing.
Let me first offer my congratulations to Dr. Keisha McKenzie, who
successfully completed her PhD in Technical Communication & Rhetoric
at the end of the 2012 academic year. Although she left the Ethics Center
to pursue employment in the Washington D.C. area, her contributions will
continue to impact the center for years to come. Keisha was an outstanding
part of the Ethics Center, and she will be missed.
Mr. Howie Chin, our graphics design graduate assistant, relocated to the
Houston area over the summer. Howie is completing his M. Arch degree at
Texas Tech and needed to relocate to Houston to take classes in urban
planning. Before Howie left, he used his artistic abilities to draw a pen and ink
sketch of the Administration building and the Ethics Center’s logo. Howie’s
artistic abilities and his contributions to the overall “Campus Conversation on
Ethics” will be missed.
The center strives to be a focal point of ethics activity and research at Texas
Tech; to this end we have focused once again on Academic Integrity and
Responsible Conduct of Research. As you will see in the following pages, we
had a successful year hosting our second Responsible Conduct of Research Conference, continued the Ethics
Series in partnership with the TLPDC, provided campus presentations on Academic Integrity, and
presented at national and international conferences. Everything we do helps to promote not only the
“Campus Conversation on Ethics” but also Texas Tech’s mission of “preparing ethical leaders for a diverse
and globally competitive workforce.”
This year, 2012-2013, we are expanding our reach in Academic Integrity by establishing the Southwest
Regional Consortium on Academic Integrity, inviting people from Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma to
engage in meaningful discussions surrounding academic integrity. We are also partnering with the Office of
the Vice President for Research at TTU to establish ethics research teams as part of the Transdisciplinary
Academy. We will support faculty and student research interests in applied and theoretical ethics and
continue to partner with other campus offices to further the ethics initiatives at Texas Tech.
Strive for Honor Evermore!
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
F IGURE 1: H OWIE C HIN ' S
D RAWING OF THE
A DMINISTRATION B UILDING
4
Ethics Center Staff
The Ethics Center experienced several staffing
changes in Spring 2012: One graduate assistant
(Dr. Keisha McKenzie) graduated, and another
(Howie Chin) left for an internship. Former
business manager Lisa James is now Section
Coordinator for the Ethics Center, and former
senior editor Dr. Yi Hui Lee is now Unit
Coordinator with responsibility for recurring
programs. The Ethics Center’s administrator, Dr.
Justin Louder, was co-appointed as Assistant Vice
F IGURE 2: 2011-2012 E THICS C ENTER S TAFF
[L EFT TO R IGHT : D R . K EISHA M C K ENZIE , H OWIE C HIN , D IANNE
R EYES , D R . J USTIN L OUDER , D R . Y I - HUI L EE , L ISA J AMES , AND
C ALEB C OX ]
Provost for eLearning.
A Note from the Advisory Committee
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Chair of the Advisory Committee, Valerie Osland Paton, PhD
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The TTU Ethics Center Advisory Committee includes faculty representatives
from all of Texas Tech’s Colleges and Schools, as well as members from the
TTU System Board of Regents’ Internal Audit office, and student and staff
organizations. We consider ways to carry out the central aspiration of Texas
Tech’s mission statement: “preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a
diverse and global competitive workforce….” From inception in 2004, Texas
Tech faculty, staff and students have acknowledged the importance of an
“ethical institution”, which resulted in the Board of Regent’s adoption of
Texas Tech’s “Statement of Ethical Principles” in 2008. Working together as a
community committed to these “Ethical Principles”, we aspire to influence
decision-making, one decision at a time. Through increasing discourse about
ethical decision-making, members of the Texas Tech community are
challenged to consider the implications of choices within the academy and in professional and interpersonal
contexts. The Advisory Committee continues to collaborate broadly to accomplish the mission statement,
with particular focus on academic integrity and responsible conduct of research. Now we begin preparation
for a new Quality Enhancement Plan, which will begin in 2014-15; this work will be greatly strengthened
by the investment of the TTU Ethics Center’s Advisory Committee members and their continuing
commitment to the idea of an “ethical institution”.
Advisory Committee Outcomes
The TTU Ethics Center’s Advisory Committee met three times this year: September 8, 2011, December 8,
2011, and April 30, 2012. The September meeting included discussion of a proposal to embed the “Strive
for Honor” meme into more campus publicity so that students would be exposed to the principle at every
level from entry through graduation. Several TechAnnounce notices for Ethics Center programs through
the year included the phrase “Strive for Honor” to help brand distinct programs and link the motto to
ethics-related activity.
Core Programs
The Ethics Center’s accomplishments each year are dependent on its collaborations with other teaching and
research centers and the consistent support of university faculty, staff, and administrators
I. TLPDC/TTU Ethics Center: Ethics Lunch Series
Through the 2011-2012 year, we continued our collaboration with the Teaching, Learning, and
Professional Development Center (TLPDC). We hosted six sessions at the TLPDC over the Fall and Spring
terms for students, staff, and faculty members. All events attracted a good mix of attendees from different
disciplines and all academic classifications.
During the Fall 2011 semester, sessions included:
1. Using Movies to Teach Ethics
2. Top 10 Ethical Issues Facing Today’s Students
3. When Scientists Cheat: Colleagues as a Defense Against Bad Science (fig. 3)
F IGURE 3: W HEN S CIENTISTS C HEAT : C OLLEAGUES AS A D EFENSE A GAINST B AD S CIENCE ; LECTURER : D R . G ERALD K OOCHER
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Session evaluations showed that participants found the Fall Ethics Lunch Series interesting and informative.
More than 90.0% respondents were satisfied with the match between session descriptions and session
content, and approximately the same percentage indicated that they would recommend the session to
others. Attendees also recommended a range of alternative topics for future series, including art, diversity,
sportsmanship, science research, academic honesty, and how to resolve ethical issues or prevent
misconduct.
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During the Spring 2012 semester, sessions included:
1. It’s All Greek to Me: Ethical Issues Facing Students Involved in the Greek Life System
2. Online Ethics Instruction for International and Domestic Engineering Graduate Students
3. FERPA & Student Data: The Ethics of Information Sharing in Higher Education (fig. 4)
F IGURE 4: FERPA & S TUDENT D ATA
The following charts show the percentages of Fall semester evaluation respondents who strongly agreed or
agreed that the session matched their expectations and that they would recommend it to peers.
This workshop met my expectations
based on the workshop title and
description.
97.7%
100.0%
I would recommend this workshop to
my colleagues.
100.0%
93.0%
93.8%
90.0%
90.0%
88.9%
87.5%
82.2%
80.0%
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
80.0%
7
70.0%
Using Movies Top 10 Ethical Scientists Cheat
Issues
F IGURE 5 A : F ALL S ERIES E VALUATION 1
70.0%
Using Movies Top 10 Ethical Scientists Cheat
Issues
F IGURE 5 B : F ALL S ERIES E VALUATION 2
The following charts show the percentages of Spring semester evaluation respondents who strongly agreed
or agreed that the session matched their expectations and that they would recommend it to peers.
This workshop met my expectations
based on the workshop title and
description.
100.0%
100.0%
I would recommend this workshop to
my colleagues.
100.0%
96.2%
93.7%
90.0%
90.0%
85.0%
81.3%
80.0%
80.0%
75.0%
70.0%
Greek
Engineering
FERPA
F IGURE 6 A : S PRING S ERIES E VALUATION 1
70.0%
Greek
Engineering
FERPA
F IGURE 6 B : S PRING S ERIES E VALUATION 2
The chart below compares Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 Ethics Series evaluation outcomes.
100.0%
91.2%
92.9%
89.8%
90.0%
84.2%
80.0%
Met expectations
Recommend to others
Fall 2011
F IGURE 7: TLPDC/TTU E THICS L UNCH S ERIES F ALL
AND S PRING
Spring 2012
C OMPARISON
The workshop on Greek Life ethics may account for the Spring series’ lower overall recommendation
numbers. Even though more than 96.2% of “FERPA” attendees indicated that they would recommend the
session to others, only 75.0% of “It’s All Greek to Me” attendees indicated that they would do the same.
Note: Click Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 for detailed lunch series reports.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
70.0%
8
II. Matador Ethics Video Challenge
The Fall 2011 Matador Ethics Video Challenge focused on the principle of Public Accountability. Individual
winner Russell Putnam based his video on the idea that “sticking to the basics” of integrity and honor could
help someone avoid catastrophic lapses in judgment.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Judges were impressed not only by Russell’s careful reflection but also by his high-quality stop-gap
animation. The Fall 2012 Challenge will focus on Diversity.
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F IGURE 8: MEVC W INNERS M EET AND G REET WITH L ADY R AIDER C OACH K RISTY C URRY
[L EFT TO R IGHT : R USSELL P UTNAM , C OACH C URRY , AND D ANIEL C ARRASCO ]
Note: click here for more students ethics videos.
III. Ethics Center Learning Modules
The TTU Ethics Center completed and published its learning module series this year. Ethics Center staff
collaborated with faculty, staff members, and scholars from the Texas Tech community to develop a
learning module for each value in the university’s Statement of Ethical Principles. Each module includes the
statement of the featured principle, pre-learning questions, a presentation, video learning, references, an
illustration (or illustrations) of the principle in practice, and a post-learning assessment.
The video learning section features winning student videos from the annual Matador Ethics Video
Challenge, as well as professional talks from the website TED.com, a non-profit organization that hosts
presentations and discussions on creative ideas, design, and technology.
Each module takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and is an introductory tool for students and
other members of the campus community to further Texas Tech University’s Campus Conversation on
Ethics. Users can access the modules on a dedicated Ethics Center webpage, and use the PowerPoint
presentations (with attribution) for in-class presentations (fig. 9).
The TTU Ethics Center launched the online learning modules in January 2012. As of August 2012, the
Mutual Respect module has received the most responses: 16 people took the pre-assessment and 13 people
took the post-assessment. It is speculated that the campus-wide academic integrity campaign, which
emphasizes “Trust and respect between students, faculty, and staff,” may have impacted the use of the
Mutual Respect module.
IV. Second Annual Responsible Conduct of Research Conference
The Second Annual Responsible Conduct of Research Conference was held on April 16, 2012, in the
Student Union Building. The conference launched a week of research presentations and meetings
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
F IGURE 9: S CREENSHOT FROM THE P UBLIC A CCOUNTABILITY E THICS L EARNING M ODULE
10
coordinated by the Center for Undergraduate Research, and RCR conference attendees joined CUR
students in an evening networking event at the AT&T-Jones Stadium.
Overall, 78 people representing six different institutions attended this year’s conference. The majority
were affiliated with TTU or Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC). Conference
programming included morning breakout sessions on data management and ethical judgment, a lunchtime
keynote address, and an afternoon breakout session on the Henrietta Lacks’ biomedical ethics case. The
keynote speaker, Dr. Kenneth Pimple, is director for the Teaching Research Ethics Programs at the Poynter
Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions (Indiana University). His keynote explored the
components of research ethics, including peer review and professional regulation.
F IGURE 10: “K EYNOTE A DDRESS ”
F IGURE 11: “D ATA M ANAGEMENT ” S ESSION
Most participants attended a scheduled program for the entire day; 75.0% of attendees were extremely or
very satisfied with the conference experience (fig. 12); and nearly 90.0% indicated that they would
recommend the conference to others (fig. 13). The percent of RCR attendees willing to recommend the
conference increased 6.6% since 2011 (fig. 14).
Overall, how satisfied were you with the conference experience??
58.3%
60.0%
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
40.0%
11
20.0%
16.7%
16.7%
8.3%
0.0%
0.0%
Extremely satisfied
Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Somewhat
dissatiSfied
Very dissatisfied
F IGURE 12: A TTENDEE E VALUATIONS OF 2 ND A NNUAL RCR C ONFERENCE , 1
60.0%
55.6%
Would you recommend this conference to others?
40.0%
33.3%
20.0%
2.8%
0.0%
Definitely
recommend
Probably recommend Possibly recommend
8.3%
0.0%
Probably not
recommend
Definitely not
recommend
F IGURE 13: A TTENDEE E VALUATIONS OF 2 ND A NNUAL RCR C ONFERENCE , 2
Would you recommend this conference to
others?
88.9%
90.0%
82.3%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
2011
2012
F IGURE 14: A TTENDEE E VALUATION OF 1 ST AND 2 ND A NNUAL RCR C ONFERENCES
V. Arbor Day 2012: My Last Ethical Activity
Texas Tech University celebrates Arbor Day during the last week of April. For the past three years, the
Ethics Center and former QEP committee chairpersons have used Arbor Day events to increase student
awareness about personal and professional ethics as well as environmental sustainability.
On April 27, 2012, Ethics Center staff conducted a complete-the-prompt activity with students at
Memorial Circle. The prompt “My last ethical activity was…” was written on blank charts and participating
students completed the sentences with their own words.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Note: Click here for detailed RCR conference report.
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F IGURE 15 A : S AMPLE A RBOR D AY R ESPONSES : C HART 1 | I MAGE C REDIT : H OWIE C HIN
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
F IGURE 15 B : S AMPLE A RBOR D AY R ESPONSES : C HART 2 | I MAGE C REDIT : H OWIE C HIN
13
The activity yielded 692 valid responses. The Ethics Center coded these responses into 11 themes,
including: volunteering and community service; showing love and kindness; donating; being honest;
tutoring and mentoring; participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life; adhering to academic
integrity; recycling; being responsible; learning about ethics; and showing heroic behavior.
Students responding to the 2012 survey seemed to value the ethical principle of Community Service and
Leadership and also value applying that principle in their daily lives (fig. 16).
Volunteering & community service
30.8%
Showing love and kindness
14.9%
Donating
9.7%
Being honest
8.4%
Tutoring & mentoring
7.9%
Relay for Life
6.1%
Adhering to academic integrity
5.5%
Recycling
Being responsible
4.8%
3.8%
Learning about ethics
1.6%
Showing heroic behavior
1.3%
MISC
0.0%
5.3%
5.0%
10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0%
F IGURE 16: R ESULTS OF “M Y L AST E THICAL A CTIVITY ...,” BY T HEME
VI. Presentations and Guest Speakers
Through the year 2011-2012, Ethics Center staff and Advisory Committee members presented on ethics
research and concepts around campus and across the country.
F IGURE 17: F EEDBACK FOR E THICS C ENTER S ESSION AT SACS A NNUAL C ONFERENCE (O RLANDO , FL, D ECEMBER 2011)
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
In December 2011, Drs. Valerie Paton, Justin Louder, and Keisha McKenzie presented at the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) conference in Orlando, FL.
Their presentation, “After the QEP: Creating and Sustaining QEP Initiatives,” used the TTU QEP
experience to illustrate how universities could design new QEPs around institutional core values so that
they could be viably sustained over time. Attendees provided very positive feedback, with more than 85%
of respondents describing the session quality as “good” and “helpful” to them with an “effective” style and
delivery. On all measures, the Ethics Center’s session received higher-than-average session reviews (fig.
17).
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VII. Ethics Center Faculty and Staff Research Support Program
We saw unprecedented
interest in the Ethics Center
Faculty and Staff Research
Support Program this year.
Seven faculty and staff
members received grants to
support their presentations
on ethics-related research or
instruction at meetings
nationwide (fig. 18). An
additional six received grants
to attend professional
conferences focused on ethics
F IGURE 18: D R . L ORETTA B RADLEY , O NE OF THE 2012 F ACULTY AND S TAFF R ESEARCH
or responsible conduct of
S UPPORT G RANT R ECIPIENTS | I MAGE CREDIT : TTU O FFICE OF C OMMUNICATIONS &
M ARKETING
research.
All recipients were asked to include that the presentation/trip was done with financial support from the
TTU Ethics Center.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Name
15
1
Dr. Loretta Bradley,
College of Education
2
Mr. Richard Burgess,
Murdough Center/NIEE
Award
$900
$1,315
Meeting Attendee or
Presenter: Title
Meeting Attendee
Meeting Attendee:
“Teaching Research Ethics” –
Workshop
Presenter: “When
Philosophers Shoot from the
Hip and Literary Artists
Shoot Back: The Case for
Reconciliation.”
3
Dr. Dennis Covington,
Department of English
$1,000
4
Dr. Charles Crews,
College of Education
$1,000
Meeting Attendee
5
Dr. Howard Curzer,
Department of Philosophy
$1,000
Presenter: “Do Ethics
Classes Teach Ethics?”
6
7
Dr. Bret Hendricks,
College of Education
Prof. Janice Killan,
School of Music
$950
Meeting Attendee
$1,000
Meeting Attendee
Location and Date
American Counseling
Association, San Francisco,
California
Indiana University, Indiana
13th International Conference
of the International Society
for the Study of European
Ideas, Nicosia, Cyprus
July 2-6, 2012
American School Counseling
Association, Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Ethics Across the Curriculum
Conference, St. Louis,
Missouri
November 4, 2011
American Mental Counselors
Association Conference
National Association for
Music Education (NAfME)
8
9
Dr. Jacqueline KolosovWenthe
Department of English
Dr. Aretha Marbley,
College of Education
Award
$800
$800
Meeting Attendee
Presenter: “Contemporary
Ethical and Legal Challenges
for LPCs and School
Counselors.”
10
Dr. Gerald Parr,
College of Education
$500
11
Dr. Patricia Patrick,
College of Education
$1,000
12
13
Marcelo Schmidt, PhD
Candidate,
College of Education
Tianlan Wei, PhD
Student,
College of Education
Meeting Attendee or
Presenter: Title
Presenter: “Sex, Drugs, and
Rock ‘n’ roll II: Handling
Tough Subjects in the
[Creative Writing]
Workshop.”
$800
$1,600
Meeting Attendee
Poster Presenter: “How
Effective is Honor Code
Reporting?” | “Sex
Differences in Parental
Academic Perceptions of
ADHD.” | “ADHD
Medication Vacations and
Parent-Child Sex
Differences.”
Poster Presenter: “How
Effective is Honor Code
Reporting?”
Location and Date
2012 Annual Conference of
the Associated Writing
Programs
March 1, 2012
American Counseling
Association Conference, San
Francisco, California
March 22-24, 2012
Texas Counseling Association
55th Annual Professional
Conference
November 10, 2011
International Conference on
Education in Ethics,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
May 1-3, 2012
American Educational
Research Association,
Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada
April 14, 16, & 17, 2012
American Educational
Research Association,
Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada
April 14, 2012
As well as supporting these external research presentations, the Ethics Center also provided on-campus
research support to Dr. Howard Curzer who has been developing a new ethics instrument for
undergraduate subjects. Dr. Curzer’s scenario-based survey assesses respondents’ moral models. Ethics
Center student assistant Caleb Cox and graduate assistant Keisha McKenzie offered Dr. Curzer data entry,
quality control, and editing support as he piloted instrument questions, a pre-test evaluation, and a post-test
evaluation. The instrument was part of Curzer’s refereed presentation in November 2011 at the Ethics
Across the Curriculum Conference (St. Louis, Missouri). This presentation, “Do Ethics Classes Teach
Ethics?”, was co-authored with Sabrina Sattler and Devin DuPree from the Office of Planning and
Assessment.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Name
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Other Activities: Highlights
•
Ethics Center staff supported several administrations of the Collegiate Assessment of Academic
Performance (CAAP), a national core-curriculum assessment. The Office of Planning and
Assessment administers CAAP mathematics, writing, and science tests to a random sampling of
undergraduate students every year. Six students from the 2012 administration won iPads (fig. 19).
F IGURE 19: O FFICE OF P LANNING & A SSESSMENT S TAFF WITH U NDERGRADUATE CAAP P ARTICIPANTS .
I MAGE C REDIT : O FFICE OF P LANNING & A SSESSMENT
•
•
The TTU Ethics Center co-sponsored the 2012 Teaching Research Ethics Conference hosted at the
Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions (Indiana University). Texas Tech
University was also represented at this year’s conference by Mr. Rich Burgess of the Murdough
Center for Engineering Professionalism and Dr. Yi Hui Lee of the Ethics Center.
At invited in-class presentations and campus orientations, Ethics Center staff members distributed
information sheets and white papers to students and faculty on academic integrity. The sheet, “Tips
to Prevent Cheating,” will be distributed again Fall 2012.
Financial Review
The Texas Tech University Ethics Center operates on a yearly budget of $339,125.00.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
BUDGET ITEM
17
EXPENDITURE
Salaries & Benefits (full-time & part-time staff, graduate assistants, and student
workers)
$234,100
Ethics programming, including food for Ethics Series
$24,200
RCR staff support (visiting professor salary & graduate assistants)
$87,400
RCR Activities (conference, course development, guest speakers, & materials)
$20,000
Faculty and staff travel funds
$31,800
Capital investments
$12,700
With this budget, the Ethics Center supports campus ethics initiatives, Responsible Conduct of Research
(RCR) training and educational events, student competitions, and in-state, national, and international travel
stipends for faculty, staff, and students. The Chair of the Advisory Committee provides the Ethics Center
with ongoing financial monitoring.
Future Plans
Sustaining New Priorities: The Ethics Center adopted Responsible Conduct of Research and Academic
Integrity as its core strategic emphases, and will sustain and extend programming, policy reviews, and
training related to these areas through the 2012-2013 academic year.
Review of Existing Programs: Staff will review the structure, goals, and distribution of the Red Raider
Ethics Generator series in the light of the Ethics Center’s strategic priorities. Four ethics articles were
published last year, one in the Daily Toreador and three on the Ethics Center website. Three of these
articles were written by undergraduates. Their participation suggests significant continued interest among
undergraduates in thinking and writing about ethics; there is a need to channel that interest into stronger
substantive reflection about ethical issues and decision-making.
International Student Orientation: The Office of International Affairs has invited the Ethics Center
staff to prepare an orientation in August 2012 for incoming international undergraduate students. This
orientation on collusion, cheating, and plagiarism will capture incoming international students before they
begin their respective programs. As well as introducing them to these academic integrity themes. The
orientation will introduce them to the Texas Tech academic integrity culture and foreshadow the new
academic integrity policy.
International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI) Southwest Regional Consortium: The
Ethics Center has submitted a proposal to establish a regional consortium for academic integrity affiliated
with the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI | http://www.academicintegrity.org) The
Texas Tech Ethics Center will invite school districts, colleges, and universities in the Texas, Oklahoma, and
New Mexico regions to participate in web-based discussions of how to strengthen academic integrity
cultures at their institutions. Participants will also convene in Spring 2013 for a face-to-face meeting on the
TTU campus.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Transdisciplinary Research Academy Ethics Teams: The Ethics Center has invited qualified Texas
Tech researchers to apply and participate in two new ethics research teams. These groups will be
administered through the Office of the Vice President for Research’s Transdisciplinary Research Academy.
The two selected research teams will each receive a $4,000 grant, and will execute significant, ambitious,
and creative research on ethics.
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2012-13 Calendar
The following table highlights some of our scheduled activities:
DATE
EVENT
Aug & Sept, 2012
IS 1100 Freshman Seminar, in-class Academic Integrity presentations
August 22, 2012
Academic Integrity presentation for undergraduate international students
orientation
September 19, 2012
TLPDC Ethics Series: Diverting Data Disasters - Best Practices
September 27, 2012
TLPDC Ethics Series: Dr. Craig Nelson: "Dealing with Controversial Topics"
October 2, 2012
Coffee Break Ethics Series: Time Management
October 22, 2012
Deadline for Matador Ethics Video Challenge (MEVC)
October 23, 2012
TLPDC Ethics Series: Academic Integrity Policy Updates
November 14, 2012
Moving Ethical Pictures Series: My Sister’s Keeper
April 22, 2013
The Third Annual Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
April 22-26, 2013
Strive for Honor Week (Arbor Day: April 26)
Appendix
Statement of Ethical Principles
The Texas Tech University Ethics Center is committed to the University’s Statement of Ethical Principles:
•
Mutual Respect
Texas Tech University is committed to an open and diverse society. Each member of the Texas
Tech community has the right to be treated with respect and dignity. This right imposes a duty
not to infringe upon the rights or personal values of others. Professional relationships among all
members of the Texas Tech community deserve attention so that they are not exploited for base
motives or personal gain.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
•
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Cooperation and Communication
Texas Tech University is committed to the promotion of professional relationships and open
channels of communication among all individuals. The university will publish and disseminate in
a timely manner its values, policies, procedures, and regulations, as well as any other information
that is necessary to protect and educate all members of our community. We encourage and provide
opportunities for the free and open exchange of ideas both inside and outside the classroom. While
the free expression of views in orderly ways is encouraged, personal vilification of individuals has
no place in the university environment.
•
Creativity and Innovation
Texas Tech University is committed to ethical institutional programs that meet the teaching,
research, and service objectives of each discipline and department; to policies that are consistent
with those objectives; and to a working and learning environment that encourages active
participation. Such exemplary environments often challenge existing worldviews, requiring trust in
the process of discovery and the acceptance of uncertainty and ambiguity within ethical parameters.
The university supports all its members in life-long learning—a process that is both challenging and
rewarding—and encourages creative and innovative means to achieve this goal through both
opportunities and incentives.
•
Community Service and Leadership
Texas Tech University is committed to ethical leadership practices at all levels and to our
tradition of community service, both within the university community and in our relationships
with the greater community. We strive for exemplary professional and community service
through research, creative works, and service programs that extend beyond the university
environment. We strive to provide excellent service in a caring and friendly environment, and
encourage such involvement in the community by all faculty, students, staff, and administration.
•
Pursuit of Excellence
Texas Tech University is committed to achieving excellence in all aspects of our community. We
expect this in the expertise and performance of our faculty, staff, and administration, as well as the
continuing education of our students. A high standard of professionalism, including opportunities
for professional contact and continuous growth, is expected of our faculty, students, staff, and
administrators. The university is committed to academic integrity and to the effective and just
implementation of a system designed to preserve and protect it. The university intends to be a
model of excellence, following best practices in its professional work, displaying the highest
standards in its scholarly work, and offering venues to showcase national and international examples
of achievement.
•
Public Accountability
•
Diversity
Texas Tech University is committed to the inherent dignity of all individuals and the celebration of
diversity. We foster an environment of mutual respect, appreciation, and tolerance for differing
values, beliefs, and backgrounds. We encourage the application of ethical practices and policies that
ensure that all are welcome on the campus and are extended all of the privileges of academic life.
We value the cultural and intellectual diversity of our university because it enriches our lives and
the community as a whole, promoting access, equity, and excellence.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Texas Tech University is committed to transparency in governance, personal responsibility, and
both individual and organizational integrity. Being responsible requires us to be thoughtful
stewards of our resources—accountable and respectful to ourselves, to each other, and to the
publics we serve. A sense of institutional and public responsibility requires careful reflection on
one’s ethical obligations and the duty to respect commitments and expectations by acknowledging
the context and considering the consequences, both intended and unintended, of any course of
action. We promptly and openly identify and disclose conflicts of interest on the part of faculty,
staff, students, administration, and the institution as a whole, and we take appropriate steps to
either eliminate such conflicts or ensure that they do not compromise our procedures and values.
When we make promises, we must keep those promises. We strive to do what is honest and ethical
even if no one is watching us or compelling us to “do the right thing”.
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Bylaws of the Texas Tech University Ethics Center Advisory Committee
ARTICLE I: Charge
The Advisory Committee for the Texas Tech University Ethics Center (Committee) advises the TTU Ethics
Center in the development, supervision, and assessment of the University’s ethics activities.
1. The Committee will consider matters pertaining to ethics education, research, opportunities, and
engagement that will continue the Campus Conversation on Ethics.
2. The Committee shall provide an annual report to the Provost summarizing the University’s ethics
efforts. The report will be submitted by August 1.
ARTICLE II: Membership
Section 1: The Committee shall be comprised of the following voting members:
1. Each College and School including the University Libraries will appoint a member to the
Committee.
2. One member shall be from the Office of the Vice President for Research.
3. One member shall be from the Texas Tech University System Office of Audit Services.
4. One member shall be from the Division of Information Technology.
5. The Faculty Senate and the Staff Senate shall appoint two members each.
6. Texas Tech Athletics shall appoint one member of the Committee.
7. The Student Government Association shall appoint two student members: one undergraduate and
one graduate student.
8. One member shall be appointed from the Office of the Provost to serve as the Chairperson of the
Committee.
9. A staff member or the director from the Texas Tech University Ethics Center.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Section 2: The Provost or designee, in consultation with the TTU Ethics Center, will make all
appointments. The Provost or designee shall consider all nominations; however, appointments are not
limited to those nominated. Members will serve at the Provost or designee’s discretion until they are
unable or unwilling to continue their service.
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ARTICLE III: Chairperson
The representative from the Office of the Provost will serve as the Chairperson of the Committee and will
be appointed by the Provost to serve an indefinite term. The Chairperson may appoint a vice-chairperson or
designate an individual to convene meetings during periods of the Chairperson’s absence.
ARTICLE IV: Actions of the Committee
Formal actions and recommendations of the Committee require majority vote from all members of the
Committee. Normally, votes will be taken during Committee meetings. However, the Chairperson may
request a vote via e-mail or other means. The results from any vote must be reported to all members.
ARTICLE V: Meetings
Section 1: Meetings of the Committee will be held at least quarterly.
Section 2: Minutes of all meetings will be distributed to Committee members for approval at the next
meeting of the Committee. Minutes of the meetings are to be approved by voting members of the
Committee. Approved minutes will be distributed to all members of the Committee and the Provost.
ARTICLE VI: Sub-Committees
The Chairperson of the Committee may appoint sub-committees to address specific issues related to ethics
at the University. Sub-Committee reports will be submitted to the Committee for review and discussion.
Sub-Committee recommendations receiving majority support from the Committee will be forwarded to the
Provost.
ARTICLE VII: Reports
An annual report describing the work of the Committee and summarizing the University’s ethics efforts will
be submitted to the Provost by August 1 of each year. Other reports may be submitted by the Committee
as appropriate.
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
ARTICLE VIII: Amending the Bylaws
Amendment or revision of the Bylaws may be made following a majority vote of the members of the
Committee.
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Texas Tech University Ethics Center Staff (2012-2013)
Valerie Osland Paton, PhD – Vice Provost for Planning and Assessment
Justin R. Louder, EdD – Administrator
Yi-hui Lee, PhD – Unit Coordinator
Lisa James – Section Coordinator
Dianne Reyes – Senior Business Assistant
Marcelo Schmidt – Research Assistant
Matthew Frame – Graduate Assistant
Caleb Cox – Student Assistant
Texas Tech University Ethics Center Contact Information
Office Location: Texas Tech University Administration Building, Room 243
Mailing Address: Box 45070 | Lubbock, Texas 79409-5070
Texas Tech Mail Stop: 5070
Office Phone: 806.742.1505
Office Fax: 806.742.1510
Email: ethics.center@ttu.edu
Web: www.ethics.ttu.edu
Annual Report II | 10/1/2012
Twitter: @ttuethics
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/TTUEthics
Strive for Honor